Oracle 11 i – The good, the bad and the reality.

1. Oracle 11i – The good, the bad and the reality. Presented by: Parker Management Consultants, Ltd. Contact: Scott Jackson Strategic Account Manager – Great Lakes 216-406-1256 June 26, 2001

2. Agenda • Background of Oracle 11i • The 10,000 foot view • The “good” and the “bad” • The “reality” • Takeaways

3. Background on Oracle 11i • Released in May 2000 • Current version – 11i.5.4 • Fifth revisions since introduction • Fourth iteration of current revision • Suite constantly being expanded • Increases in functional areas • Improvements in capabilities.

4. Background on Oracle 11i • Web-enabled and browser launched • Written to live in a Java environment • Accessed via any web browser like Netscape or Internet Explorer • Minimizes desktop requirements • Minimizes maintenance issues.

5. Background on Oracle 11i • Offers global, instead of distributed instances • Eliminates duplication and redundancy • Offers immediate policy/procedure control • Eliminates “versioning” issues.

6. Background on Oracle 11i • More E-business than ERP • Blurs the line between “brick” and “click” activities • Links forward to customers • Links back to suppliers.

7. Background on Oracle 11i • The difference is the i. • Simplifies networking issues • Facilitates distributed activities • Simplifies hosting option and variations.

8. The 10,000 foot view • Key “foundation” modules. • Financials (FIN) • Human Resources (HR) • Manufacturing (MFG) • Purchasing (PUR).

9. The 10,000 foot view • Key “building block” modules. • Order Management (OMS) • Customer Resource Management (CRM) • Advanced Pricing (APM) • Configurator (CFG).

10. The 10,000 foot view • Key “enhancement” modules. • Warehouse Management (WMS) • Property Manager (PM) • Supply Chain Management (SCM) • Shop Floor Mgmt (SFM).

11. Strong Foundation Key FIN MFG PUR SCM CRM APM Bldg. block CFG ??? HR Enhancement OMS WMS SFM New PM The 10,000 foot view Relative stability of selected modules

12. The good Number of bugs and patches required greatly diminish Trouble shooting on Metalink resulting in resolution of problems without filing a TAR or quicker resolution if a TAR is required. The bad Volume patches applied to 11.5.3 Inexperience of Oracle support TRM’s can be incomplete (i.e., BOM,Inv.) Open Item Interfaces can have considerable bug issues. The 11i suite overall

13. The good Nearly all 11i modules are very straight forward, with little or no problems, including: General Ledger Fixed Assets Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable GL can be running in 3 to 4 weeks. The bad Legacy systems rarely have information in the in the detail Oracle needs Minor problems in getting some of the reports to run properly. Financials

14. The good High degree of lot traceability. Different lots can be tracked before/after shipment Can automate the Open Item Interface to create an Item, Routing or a Bill Of Material via PL/SQL scripts. The bad Not much enhancement beyond lot and serial control Must use workarounds to account for multi-location inventory systems. Manufacturing

15. The good High degree or management flexibility once operational Able to to interface with a third party configurators. The bad Complete rewrite w/ rev. 11i.5.3. Patch volume similar to that of a new issue Very “temperamental” 3rd party forms packages vary in compatibility. Order Management

16. The good Enhancements (i.e. , hierarchy diagrammers, mass position updates) considerably improved functionality Standard Benefits has impressive potential. The bad Standard Benefits is a redesign and is encountering the start-up problems plaguing any new product. Human Resources

17. The good Broad multi-function suite, beyond just sales/contact management. The bad CRM still breaks quite a bit of AR functionality Different modules (i.e., iStore, Service, Contracts) lack uniformity and consistency. CRM

18. The “reality” Six months appears to be a good rule of thumb to work the kinks out of a new module. • Foundation modules released are virtually all viable • Building block and enhancement modules are working kinks out.

19. Foundation Key FIN MFG PUR SCM CRM APM Bldg. block CFG HR Enhancement OMS OMS SFM PM WMS The “reality” Relative stability of selected modules over time Strong ??? New 1 yr + Time since release

20. The “reality” Strong DBA resources are a must. • Patching is often a tedious process • Can break functionality. • Patches appear released without thorough testing. • Must learn the “game” of TAR turn around • Responses sometimes appear like delay tactics. • Escalation methods must be mastered.

21. The “reality” Nearly all foundation modules are solid and field tested. • Financials - little to no problems throughout entire suite • Human Resources – basic functions fine • Manufacturing – basic functions fine.

22. The “reality” Variability does exist in some extended functionalities of foundation modules. • Standard Benefits in HR • Advanced Planning and Scheduling in Manufacturing.

23. Takeaways Viability of 11i : • Time on the market translates to viable modules • Stability is not a “suite-wide” but rather a module by module issue • Functionality gains from 10.7 to 11i can be great.

24. Takeaways Time to implement 11i : • Vanilla or “core” functionality, in general, allows for on-time implementations • Not all upgrades direct, most are “multi-hop” exercises • Data migration while rarely overlooked is often underestimated (i.e., Fin, OM).

25. Takeaways When upgrading to 11i, consider : • Sticking closely to the 80/20 rule • Keeping the scope “vanilla”; it will allow for a schedule • Factoring more time for TAR management time for newer modules • Accounting for training needs for upgrade modules, particularly Order Management.

26. For more information… Please contact Parker Management: • Mark SweeneyVice President, Business Development1.301.617.9777msweeney@pmcltd.com • Scott JacksonStrategic Account Manager1.216.406.1256sjackson@pmcltd.com